CVE-2017-20166Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Authorization bypass via implicit nil queries

Published Jan 10, 2023 · Updated Apr 9, 2025

Improper nil handling in Ecto 2.2.0 allows remote attackers to make applications execute unintended database queries via crafted API fields. Ecto.Repo.Queryable.query_for_get_by converts a nil Repo.get_by clause into an is_nil predicate instead of rejecting the comparison, so attacker-controlled JSON null values can target records whose security-sensitive field, such as a token, is NULL. Exposure requires an application to pass remote input into Repo.get_by or Repo.get_by!, and resulting record access remains bounded by the application's query and authorization logic.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability1.28%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper nil handling in Ecto 2.2.0 allows remote attackers to make applications execute unintended database queries via crafted API fields. Ecto.Repo.Queryable.query_for_get_by converts a nil Repo.get_by clause into an is_nil predicate instead of rejecting the comparison, so attacker-controlled JSON null values can target records whose security-sensitive field, such as a token, is NULL. Exposure requires an application to pass remote input into Repo.get_by or Repo.get_by!, and resulting record access remains bounded by the application's query and authorization logic.

The record

CVE
CVE-2017-20166
Published
Jan 10, 2023
Updated
Apr 9, 2025
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-754, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 10, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 9, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.8CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-754Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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